NEWS & LEGAL ARTICLES
Estate Planning for Singles
Singles face the inevitable as much as anyone else. You need to make your important personal decisions or the courts may do it for you.
Second Marriages Later in Life
The best way to ensure that one’s assets are available for a surviving spouse but ultimately distributed to one’s children from a prior marriage is through the use of a trust.
Inheritance in Trust
Getting an inheritance in trust may be the best way to get (or give) an inheritance.
Estate Planning: Owing More Than You Own
Don’t panic. Your creditors truly can’t touch you. You may, however, worry about how the bills that trickle in, and sometimes flood in, after your death will affect your loved ones.
Changing Your Will or Trust
Although no one wants to create problems between beneficiaries of the estate, even small handwritten changes can create great problems.
Funeral Planning & Legal Issues
Because burial decisions have to be made very quickly after death and are almost impossible to change once made, you should set forth your desires regarding your funeral and burial when doing your estate planning.
What is Probate?
Probate is one of the least understood of court processes. However, it is a procedure that can affect the family and heirs of every mature adult following his or her death.
Your Estate is More than Assets
If you die without a will or trust, a court will decide, based on state law, who will inherit your property. The result could well be contrary to your wishes.
How Do I Discuss Estate Planning With My Family and Loved Ones?
I always advise my clients to let their family members know that they have done estate planning and where the documents are located. I encourage more discussion; but, at a minimum, family members must know that planning has been done.
Preparing for the Storms of Life
Many people think an estate plan only involves drafting a document before you die that will distribute your assets upon your death… an equally important part of an estate plan should include what happens to you and your assets while you are living.
